The Restless Viscountess

Chapter 26

"Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city." George Burns

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Chapter Twenty – Six

Imogen took a deep breath, feeling her heart hammering in her chest. She willed her legs not to crumble, not from exhaustion, but from nerves. "I, Imogen, take thee, Simon, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth." Imogen let out a sigh of relief, something that made her husband to be smile.

It had been a month since Simon had proposed to Imogen in the library of Salisbury Hall. The wedding had to be organised quickly as Alexandra had received word from Joaquín, a letter telling her that their marriage had finally been approved by the council. Joaquín could not know of Imogen's engagement, so the news that Joaquín was sending his ship to collect Alexandra and her family a few days after Christmas had accelerated Imogen's wedding plans. If she wanted Alexandra to serve as her maid of honour, they needed to be married before they all left for Spain.

It was December twentieth, a week before the ship was arriving to take them to Spain. The little church at Ascot was packed to the rafters with family, friends, and well-wishers. Dozens of redcoat comrades of Simon's had made the journey to Derbyshire after reading about the wedding in the papers and Imogen was glad to meet them. Simon seemed very pleased that his old friends had come to witness the marriage, particularly as his last years in the army were clouded with guilt. He enjoyed reacquainting himself with his friends.

Imogen stood at the altar with her sister by her side, and her new daughter at her feet. Hannah was a very proud flower girl, and she and Imogen got on well. Hannah seemed to enjoy having the attention of Imogen and the new female members of her family. She was an enchanting child who was yet to understand the tragedy of her own mother's loss. Because of this, she could happily enjoy the presence of a new mother.

Hannah had heartily insisted that Imogen's wedding gown be made by her friend, Madame Bichoux, in London, however, that simply was impossible. There was not time to send for a gown, so to compromise, Imogen, her sister, and her mother, pulled apart one of the gowns that Madame Bichoux had made for Hannah. Bess taught her daughters how to make a pattern, and then they purchased fabric from the village to make a dress that suited Imogen. It was in the style of Madame Bichoux's creation, though Bess had helped her to add several lacy decorations to make it a fine wedding gown.

While Hannah had been easy to please with sewing lessons, Harry had still been quite timid around Imogen, and even his new father. Harry was quiet, but he became affectionate when Imogen read to him. He liked to be cuddled, and he enjoyed the safety of being held. In the month that she had known her new son, he had slowly started to accept his new family, and was becoming more vocal by the day.

At the altar, Harry stood at Simon's feet, holding Imogen's wedding ring. Harry was given the responsibility of ring bearer.

Simon collected the ring from Harry and took hold of Imogen's left hand. Simon held the ring at Imogen's knuckle and uttered, "With this ring, I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all of my worldly goods I thee endow. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." Simon then slid the ring properly onto her finger.

Imogen's breath caught in the back of her throat as she stared at the little golden circle that now resided on her third finger.

Only a year ago, Imogen was certain that marriage was something that would never happen for her. No man would be willing to take the sickly, small, and weak daughter of the Duke of Ascot, no matter how tempting her dowry.